Posted on 02/05/2007 7:46:47 PM PST by Bat_Chemist
So I'm looking over the web for a new handgun (the only one we own is my wife's 9-shot .22, a pretty little piece, but not much for home defense). I came across the website for Hipoint firearms, makers of "polymer frame" handguns, and I thought, "Wouldn't that be really unstable and fragile?" I wanted to get the opinions of the "strangers I trust" here at FR before I actually go drop a couple hundred there. And that's the other thing...these guns are American made and inexpensive. Are they too good to be true?
Well, since it is home defense, you are not constrained that much by size or weight. A shotgun would do well. As for the plastics- i don't believe in them. good old 1911, all steel.
Well, they're better than Lorcins or ravens...
Hi-points aren't all that good. The only weapon of theirs that people seem to like is their pistol-caliber carbine. The pistols are heavy, ungainly weapons with a blowback design. It means that the recoil can be quite uncomfortable.
If you are looking for a lower-cost, decent self-defense pistol look at a Ruger or quality used revolver.
The polymer frame isn't necessarily a bad thing - the Glocks and the Springfield XDs, among other models, use polymer frames.
Having said that, I've never owned a Hipoint, but I've read some reviews of them. Some people like them, but the majority of folks around here will probably tell you to avoid them.
....I'm partial to the Rugers myself....Never fired the Brownings but I've heard they are fine firearms.....usually depends on the grip....I would try out several makes to see which feels best in your hand as some are bulkier then others....
Go the The High Road a very good firearms site. I think they consider them junk and would not buy one. A Bursa is a cheap handgun in .380 that alot of people think is good. Check out the site. Just let them know you are a newbie. People there are nice mostly. There is a hangun forum there.
I would recommend a revolver. When I go out go shoot I much prefer a semi-auto pistol, but I have a revolver on me at all times, as does my wife. When you need them they work.
I own a number of firearms. While almost all of my firearms are semis, I keep a double action .357 (SP-101) loaded for home protection and carry. No safety, no chambering, just point and shoot.
For effect, I have a Crimson Trace laser sight on it that has the on switch by the normal resting place for my thumb. While I don't practice with the laser, it does get plenty of attention at the range and does hit right on the illumination. Can you imagine the pucker factor on a bad guy.
Additionally, we typically keep a Mossberg 500 with 18" barrel, full stock and 3" 4-buck loaded. This is not chambered. Again this is pucker factor when it round is racked.
Amen. They are also very simple, no safety or other lever to manipulate in a high stress situation.
IMO, don't waste your money on a Hi-Point.
Save up and buy a quality gun from Colt, S&W, Ruger, Springfield, Glock or even a Kimber if you can afford it.
You'll never regret the better quality, and any one of them will last you the rest of your life.
My 9mm HiPoint was my first handgun. I also own a 7mm Ruger bolt action and a AK-47. I go shooting a couple of times a year. I wouldn't mind getting a nicer handgun, but I haven't regretted buying the HiPoint...and it was very cheap. I had the dealer put a laser site on it. My wife and have shot it and I've told her just put the red dot on any intruder...
I motified my 500 with the five round magazine so it will hold nine Aquila mini-shells in the mag and one in the chamber. That increases the capacity to ten. The modification doesn't effect the normal capacity.
Polymer does not mean fragile. That said, until I know more abut HiPoint, my impression is that that they're a fly-by-by-night shop selling cheap crap. I could be proven wrong. First impression.
"Made in USA" is not a guarantor of quality. If you've never heard of Intratec, look them up; their products were, from the beginning, craptacular. Actually, the worst guns available in the US are domestic, because the import restrictions are more stringent than those for domestic sale. You can, and many do, buy a weapon from Lentana that would be illegal to import from Beijing.
I've shot Glock, H & K, Springfield, Colt, Walther, Enfield, Winchester, S & W several times. I shot a Tec-9 once before I decided it was a piece of s--t not worth the effort. It was incredibly awful, and if I had to use it against an unarmed assailant, I still think I'd be more likely to die than he would. They're that bad.
Firearms are one area where it's still pretty much true that what you get is what you pay for. It's not a place to count pennies, It is not the place to skimp.
Taurus isn't bad for a less costly revolver. Neither is Charter Arms.
Shooting Times Review of Hi-Point Pistols:
http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun_reviews/hipoint_100605/
Gun Week Review of Hi-Point Carbines:
http://www.gunweek.com/2005/feature0201.html
Another Hi-Point Carbine Review:
http://www.gunweek.com/2005/feature0201.html
I have had Lasergrips on my revolvers for about 5 years now. I bought them for my son and daughter when I got them their revolvers and CCW permits. We all really like them and they make it possible to shoot and hit more quickly.
I think of a good firearm as an investment. With any good quality firearm, the value either goes up or stays the same. That's not true of the cheaper firearms such as a HiPoint. One way or another, you'll waste your money.
Get a combat shotgun with an 18" barrel and an extended magazine. If you're the shooter, 12 gage pump or semi-auto. If the wife shoots it too, 20 ga., semi-auto. NEF makes some sweet home defense 12 ga. pumps for under $300 [maybe less than $200].
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